List of California hurricanes
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Since 1854, 85 tropical cyclones affected the U.S. state of California, including a hurricane in 1858 that produced hurricane-force winds near San Diego. Due to cold sea surface temperatures and the typical track of most Pacific hurricanes, there has only been one recorded landfall of a tropical storm – a storm in 1939 that hit Los Angeles, killing 45 people in the state.
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In most cases, rainfall is the only effect that these cyclones have on California. Sometimes, the rainfall is severe enough to cause flooding and damage. Since 1850, only six other tropical cyclones have brought gale-force winds to the Southwestern United States. The remnants of Tropical Storm Jennifer-Katherine in 1963, Hurricane Emily in 1965, and Hurricane Joanne in 1972 produced gale-force winds and heavy rainfall in the state. Former Hurricane Kathleen in 1976 killed at least nine people in the state from heavy rainfall, with severe flooding affecting the city of Ocotillo. Tropical Storm Nora in 1997 entered the state, producing gale-force winds and heavy rainfall that led to three traffic deaths. The remnants of Hurricane Kay in 2022 produced flooding and 100 mph (160 km/h) wind gusts across southern California, killing one person. In August 2023, the remnants of Hurricane Hilary produced 87 mph (140 km/h) winds along with heavy rainfall, with floods killing one person.